Packing up and moving into a new abode can be tedious to say the least.
Just ask the inhabitants of this Chilean land mass, where the concept of ‘moving house’ is taken quite literally.
Chiloe, the second largest island in Chile, located in the southern Los Lagos region, faces harsh weather and changing tides, which means that from time to time, properties have to be lifted up and dragged to a new location.
Chiloe, the second largest island in Chile, faces harsh weather and changing tides, which means that from time to time, properties have to be lifted up and dragged to a new location
Reasons for moving houses in Chiloe are environmental in nature, either due to rising tides, erosion or damaged farmland – but it has roots in pagan mythology related to escaping ‘cursed’ land.
It’s a group effort, known as a minga, and involves neighbours coming together to carry out the labor-heavy task, which often takes several days.
According to its firm-held tradition, no money changes hands and no-one is paid for their work, according to Atlas Obscura. It is done on the basis that the favour will one day be returned.
First, the minga is announced and a date set, with families touring the island to ask for help on the big day.
It’s a group effort, known as a minga, and involves neighbours coming together to carry out the labor-heavy task, which often takes several days
Oxen are used to pull the one-storey abodes to their new location on tree-trunk rollers, which sometimes involves crossing land as well as sea
In this case, flotation devices are attached to their base and they are placed on the beach at low tide, then floated to their new destination when the tide rises again by way of tow boats
The homes are either emptied of furniture and windows, or such articles are secured and moved while still inside.
Oxen are used to pull the one-storey abodes to their new location on tree-trunk rollers, as villagers cheer them on from the sidelines.
Sometimes, the houses are even required to cross strips of the ocean. In this case, flotation devices are attached to their base and they are placed on the beach at low tide, then floated to their new destination when the tide rises again by way of tow boats.
Once the move is complete, celebrations break out across the island – a spectacle which has started attracting tourists in recent years.
The homes are either emptied of furniture and windows, or such articles are secured and moved while still inside. Pictured are wooden slats on which the homes are transported
Reasons for moving houses in Chiloe are environmental in nature, either due to rising tides, erosion or damaged farmland. But it has roots in pagan mythology related to ‘cursed’ land. Many houses are built on stilts to protect them from the sea
But things have been on shaky ground for Chiloe lately. Its once thriving local fishing industry is suffering deeply with the spread of a toxic algal bloom sweeping the shores.
Simply referred to as the ‘quiet catastrophe’ by local fishermen, Chile’s worst-ever red tide of toxic algae last year prompted the government to declare an emergency zone along the southern coast.
As for the mingas, some hope their unique appeal will continue to lure tourists to the island and give the economy a much-needed boost.
According to its firm-held tradition, no money changes hands and no-one is paid for their work. It is done on the basis that the favour will one day be returned. Pictured is an old undated photo of a traditional minga
Once the move is complete, celebrations break out across the island – a spectacle that has started attracting tourists in recent years. Pictured, another undated image that captures the community flocking to help